Lead Buyer, Category Management

Description

• Bid Analysis – Support and guide buyers by providing analysis insights, coaching them through development of responses to complex bid requests, pointing out commercial differences, and making succinct recommendations in selecting appropriate suppliers for contract awards
• Strategic sourcing, contract negotiations, project planning and vendor management
• Source Events (RFx, Sole Source, direct negotiate) – Lead the execution of critical (high spend/high profile) sourcing initiatives, providing guidance and mentorship to team members, while using tailored procurement strategies to optimize value, mitigate risk, and support business objectives
• Mentorship and Training - Exemplify excellence in procurement standards by proactively mentoring and guiding Buyers and Associate Buyers, ensuring the adoption and utilization of best-in-class methodologies across National Grid Procurement. Extend support and expertise beyond the immediate team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration within the organization
• Analytics - Utilize varied and complex data sets to identify gaps and new opportunities to drive benefits through the contracts End to End lifecycle, while implementing analytics as part of the Category Plan
• Process Management and Improvement - Drive continuous improvement to identify and eliminate waste in the extended E2E Supply Chain. Identify innovative procurement solutions that provide savings benefits and process efficiencies for the organization. Ability to take those ideas and clearly articulate the change solution/improvements to various stakeholders and change board
• Supplier Engagement - Regularly engage with category suppliers to seek feedback, discuss improvement opportunities, and resolve issues, ensuring continuous enhancement of supplier performance and alignment with National Grid's objectives
• Team Building – Collaborating with the manager/director supports and develops team building
• Total Cost of Ownership - Evaluate and apply the concept of total cost of ownership (TCO) and supplier/ contract switching costs to support decision making options
• Stakeholder Coordination – Foster strong, collaborative relationships with business units and suppliers, while further understanding the needs and issues that each side faces, driving strategic initiatives to identify continuous improvement opportunities and maximize value for money from awarded contracts
• Market Research - Conduct industry analysis and evaluate supplier performance, incorporating the research into the Category Strategy and associated contract initiatives/bidding events

Requirements

• 7+ Years experience in a procurement role preferred
• Experience with bidding construction projects is a plus (EPC, EPCM; GMP, Design/Bid/Build, etc.) which includes full depth of knowledge of several models that can be articulated to the business that will help with the understanding of the pros & cons of each further acting as a trusted advisor for the proposed selection of the most appropriate model
• Prior experience leading a team and/or enrollment in a leadership development program
• Excellent computer skills including Advanced Microsoft Excel & PowerPoint
• Commercial Negotiation - Capable of preparing complex negotiation strategies and mentor buyers in the team regarding thought process of laying out their negotiation strategies, with clarity of desired outcomes and conducting complex negotiations successfully under aggressive time demands. Has extensive working knowledge of terms and conditions
• Bachelor's degree (B.A or B.S) required; in supply chain or business management degree preferred, masters degree, CPSM/APICS a plus
• Experience with Developing Category Strategies – Support the buyers, work with Stakeholders to evaluate and establish business needs, apply forward thinking skills to establish flexible long-term category strategies with value options & clear supplier performance criteria, challenge the “norm” while thinking “out of the box” longer term to minimize and mitigate risks
• Experience in the $25 – 50M spend range with contract and framework/multiyear agreements
• Strong working knowledge of ERP systems such as SAP and ARIBA. Also, working knowledge of Power Bi, etc.
• The Category Lead must have the ability to think independently and bring viable solutions to the forefront that are actionable
• Understanding Counterparty - Has comprehensive understanding of supplier's position, desired outcomes, and leverage points with the ability to maximize the benefits to the company while maintaining a good working relationship with suppliers
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, comfortable communicating with a wide cross-section of the business, including senior management. Able to clearly articulate one’s position and influence others
• Track record of directing discussions/negotiations, steering agendas, and effectively delivering difficult messages.
• Experience working with various business units and stakeholders to align goals and strategies.
• Effective in influencing stakeholders and communicating progress to senior leadership.
• Professional Certification in Supply Chain or Contract Management (I.E. CPSM and APICS)
• Experience in decision-making roles that positively impact business performance.

Benefits

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance